It’s not uncommon these days to see owners at the back end of the first round taking two wide receivers with their first two picks.

In an industry draft of mine last week, the first five picks were all running backs — but that was followed by a run of seven consecutive receivers (the four listed above, plus Brandon Marshall, tight end Jimmy Graham and Julio Jones).

That’s a major strategy shift. And here’s why: The prolific passing games in the NFL, coupled with the rise in specialization among the running backs, have made receivers much safer investments than running backs at the top of the draft.

Notice the only running back bust owners are willing to trust to be even a second-round pick is Foster — and that may be a residual effect of him being No. 1 on the 2012 ADP list.

Instead of 16 RBs in the top 20 (80%), there are only 11 (55%) this year. The wide receivers go from two to six. And the reason they’re being taken higher is that — with the exception of Jones, who was leading the NFL in receiving yardage until he broke his foot in Week 5 — each one of them produced as expected.

Yes, you will be able to pick up competent receivers in the later rounds of this year’s drafts, but the safest picks on the board this year appear to be the elite wideouts.

What this means for daily fantasy

The most expensive Week 1 wide receivers in FantasyScore predictably mirror the ones with the lowest ADPs. Calvin Johnson ($8,000 salary) is at the top of the list, at home against the New York Giants. He’s followed by Thomas ($7,600), Bryant ($7,300) and Green ($7,300).

The best value among the top-tier receivers may be the Chicago Bears’ Alshon Jeffery ($6,600, ADP 25). He’s $500 cheaper than teammate Brandon Marshall and may be worth a spot as your WR1 at home against Buffalo.